Don’t Do What Dele Alli Did!

Paul Pogba Gets ‘Wrong Place’ Warning as Ex-Man Utd & Juventus Star Mulls Over Next Move After Serving Doping Ban

The beautiful game doesn’t always offer second chances — at least, not easily. And for players like Paul Pogba, those chances don’t just come with the burden of expectation — they come weighted with the past.

Now a free agent following the termination of his Juventus contract, Pogba faces a career crossroads. The world has seen his highs — a World Cup, dominant Serie A campaigns, and moments of magic in the Premier League. But after serving an 18-month suspension for a doping violation, the next move is more than a contract — it’s a statement.

And not everyone is convinced that all destinations are created equal. Among those urging caution is Colin Kazim-Richards, a footballer whose career spanned five continents and whose voice carries weight when it comes to calculated risks in unfamiliar waters. Speaking candidly this week, he drew a line between a successful comeback — and the kind of missteps that saw Dele Alli’s career unravel in plain sight.

‘Don’t Be Dele’: A Hard-Earned Warning for Pogba

Dele Alli Como 2024-25

Kazim-Richards didn’t mince words when asked what advice he’d give Pogba: choose wisely — because the wrong move, at the wrong time, could derail everything.

“What I would be saying to him if I was part of his team is: Go somewhere where you are going to find yourself,” he told betideas.com. “We’ve seen players try and rediscover themselves in different environments before and it hasn’t worked. Dele Alli. He tried to find himself at Besiktas. Wrong place, wrong place.”

It’s a sobering comparison. Once England’s great attacking hope, Dele Alli’s flame dimmed dramatically after leaving Tottenham. Stints at Everton, Besiktas, and now Como in Serie A haven’t reignited his early promise. His story serves as a cautionary tale — not because he lacked talent, but because his career choices didn’t align with what he truly needed: structure, support, and time.

What Paul Pogba Needs Now

So what does Pogba need in 2025?

Time. Patience. And a club that doesn’t see him solely as a marquee signing.

“He needs to find his love for the game,” said Kazim-Richards. “And he needs the game to love him back. That is crucial for wherever he goes next.”

That kind of mutual relationship — between player and environment — isn’t easy to find. But Kazim-Richards, having played in Turkey, England, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, and Mexico, believes it’s everything. For Pogba, the return to elite football isn’t just about form — it’s about identity.

“He’s not going to be the Paul Pogba that we all know. Not yet, not after the period he’s had out,” Kazim-Richards continued. “He needs to go somewhere where he doesn’t have that pressure to be the main man from the first minute.”

It’s a refreshing bit of realism. Pogba is still Pogba — a 6’3” midfielder with dazzling footwork and vision reminiscent of the best playmakers in the world. But he’s also been out of the game for over a year. Reintegrating into top-flight football will take time — and trust.

Paul Pogba Manchester United

Saudi Arabia? MLS? Ligue 1? Or Something Else?

Pogba has been linked with destinations across the globe — from Major League Soccer to the Saudi Pro League, with whispers of returns to Ligue 1 or even one last Premier League chapter. Each path comes with pros and cons.

A Move to Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Pro League has money, ambition, and some high-profile names — Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Benzema, Kante. But Kazim-Richards questions whether the expectations there could be too high, too soon.

“If he went to Brazil, for the amount of money a Brazilian club would have to pay him, the fans’ expectations might be too high,” he said, before acknowledging the same risk exists elsewhere.

In Saudi Arabia, the situation could mirror that. Pogba would arrive as a superstar, and the pressure to perform — instantly — would be immense.

A Move to MLS

MLS has long been a haven for European stars looking to rediscover their form. With Pogba spending time in the U.S. recently, this move feels more plausible — and perhaps even more strategic.

The pace of the game is different. The spotlight, while still intense, isn’t quite as blinding. And the infrastructure around players’ health and recovery is robust. It could be the kind of league where Pogba rediscovers his rhythm without being expected to dominate from day one.

Dele Alli Besiktas 2022-23

“Let Him Find Himself First”

One of Kazim-Richards’ main points is that Pogba should use this summer wisely. Pre-season is the ideal time to gradually return to fitness, understand a new team’s dynamics, and avoid being thrust into high-stakes games unprepared.

“He’s taken his time. He didn’t just come back and sign for a team straight away. Just took his time,” Kazim-Richards observed approvingly.

“If he joins a club in the summer pre-season, he can then acclimatise for six to eight weeks, integrate into the team and it’ll be better for him; easier.”

This kind of careful planning matters — not just for Pogba’s physical readiness, but for his mental and emotional reset. A player of his calibre shouldn’t be rushing into a situation where he’s set up to fail.

“The Stuff He Can Do With a Football Is Crazy”

In the end, for all the noise, numbers, and narratives, there’s still one unshakable truth: when Paul Pogba is at his best, there are very few like him.

“If we’re talking about Pogba at his best,” said Kazim-Richards, “we’re talking about a 6 foot 3 player that moves his feet like the best wingers. With vision like Xavi or Iniesta, but with the dribbling ability of the best attackers. It’s not normal, that level of ability.”

It’s true. At his peak, Pogba was a footballing unicorn. A midfielder who could defend, create, and score — often all in the same game. His role in France’s 2018 World Cup win and his spells with Juventus stand as reminders of just how high his ceiling is.

What’s Next for Paul Pogba?

The next few months will be telling. Pogba is now officially free to play again, and the 32-year-old has signalled that he believes he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. But belief is only part of it.

He needs a project. A patient manager. A dressing room that welcomes him not as a savior, but as a seasoned warrior looking to fight again.

In football, comebacks are rare. Successful ones? Rarer still. But if there’s a player capable of defying the odds and reigniting his career, it’s Paul Pogba.

He just needs to find the right place — not the wrong one.